Dispatches From Carnival Paradise: Only the Beginning

Who would’ve believed this? Almost 40 years after we hung a poster featuring the band Chicago in our high school French classroom, my friend Christina and I were watching them perform live, in an intimate venue onboard the Carnival Paradise while docked in Cozumel.

Sitting on a comfortable couch in the third row of the 1,300-seat Normandie Theater, with drinks on the small cocktail table, I wondered if there is any more ideal way to see a live performance by a favorite band.

There might be, but this was hard to beat. Even Robert Lamm, a founding member of Chicago, seemed to agree, commenting from stage that this was one of the most intimate venues in which the band has ever performed.

“Needless to say, we’re thrilled to be here,” Lamm said. “The members love trying something different, and this is definitely in a different direction. But we’re having a good time. We hope you are too.”

The Fun Ship line launched the Carnival LIVE program in January, and I think it’s a genius idea. How better to attract cruisers to certain ships in certain destinations? About 50 concerts were initially scheduled on eight ships from six homeports. The shows take place while docked in Cozumel, Nassau or Catalina, Calif.

Our concert came on the fourth night of a five-night cruise on the Carnival Paradise from Tampa. The band members stayed somewhere in Cozumel because they were due to perform the next night on the Carnival Ecstasy.

Others scheduled to perform this year include Jennifer Hudson, Lady Antebellum, Kansas, REO Speedwagon, Trace Adkins, Olivia Newton-John and more. Chicago’s 75-minute show included all the band’s hits — including “25 or 6 to 4,” “Colour My World,” “Saturday in the Park” as well as “Now,” the title song on the new album due out in July — that thrilled the mostly middle-age or older audience.

The concert was not included in the cruise fare, but cost $30 for general admission or $100 for a VIP package that included a photo taken with the band during a reception line meet-and-greet before the show and seating in the first three rows. Guests can book the tickets in advance or on board the ship.

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. It’d be difficult to find a more ideal venue for a live performance. To check out if your favorite band or singer is playing during a Carnival cruise, click here.

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